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Government of Canada honours those who served to protect freedom and democracy

Annual Remembrance Day ceremony held at Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

BEAUMONT-HAMEL, France, Nov. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Canadian and French citizens gathered today at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, in France, to pay tribute to the men and women who served their countries from the First World War to current missions.

Attending on behalf of the Government of Canada, Colonel Guy Maillet, Canadian Military Attaché, was joined by Mme Odile Bureau, Sous-préfète of Péronne and representative of the French Republic.

Quick Facts

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called "Armistice Day" to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served and those who continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 2,300,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation's history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Quotes

"The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial is a stirring tribute to the many young Newfoundlanders who selflessly heeded the call of duty. On this day, we give thanks for those brave men and women across Canada who have served our country, and we solemnly reflect on the tremendous sacrifices and the lives lost in defence of our shared values." The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"We owe it to those millions of men and women who lost their lives, to take a couple of hours each year to commemorate and honor their determination, their courage and their sacrifices. They paid it forward at a very high price so we could benefit from the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today."Colonel Guy Maillet, Canadian Military Attaché, France